“Sustained partnerships, active participation, and a nationwide commitment are essential to achieving the ambitious goal of a TB-Free India. 100-Day Intensified Campaign to Eliminate TB under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan with a spirit of Jan Bhagidaari exemplifies a united approach to TB elimination, leveraging the strengths of diverse stakeholders”. This was stated by Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare while chairing the Joint Strategy Meeting with 21 Line Ministries for TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan- (100 Days Intensified Campaign) at Vigyan Bhawan, here today.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports; Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel; Shri Jual Oram, Minister of Tribal Affairs; Smt. Annpurna Devi, Minister of Women and Child Development (WCD); Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Ayush (Independent Charge); Smt. Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers were among the members who attended the meeting today. Secretaries of Ministries of Government of India including the Union Health Ministry; Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises also participated in the meeting and senior officers from the Union Ministries of Health & Welfare, Heavy Industries and Steel, Women and Child Development, Tribal Affairs, AYUSH, Panchayati Raj, Education, Coal, Railways, Mines, Culture and Department of Public Enterprises also attended the meeting.
Speaking at the event, Shri Nadda stated that “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave the clarion call to eliminate TB from the country by 2025, much before the 2030 deadline of the sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Highlighting the strides made by India in the direction of eliminating TB, Shri Nadda stated that “the Prime Minister’s vision and the Union Health Ministry’s efforts have made India a leader in the elimination of TB”. Citing the recent WHO report, he added that “the reduction in TB cases in India has been 17.7% which is almost double that of the global reduction. The treatment coverage has increased from 53% to 85% while there has been a 21.4% decline in the death rate due to TB from 28 lakhs to 22 lakhs.”
Shri Nadda stated that the campaign exemplifies a united approach to TB elimination, leveraging the strengths of diverse stakeholders. He expressed his elation on the fact the during first 30 days of the 100-days Intensified Campaign, more than 2 crore people have been screened and more than 1.48 lakh new cases of TB have been identified.
The Union Health Minister urged the line ministries for collaborative efforts under whole-of-government approach to fulfil the target of eliminating TB by 2025. “Sustained partnerships, active participation, and a nationwide commitment are essential to achieving the ambitious goal of a TB-Free India”, he added.
Various Ministers commended the approach to an intensified 100 day campaign for reduction in TB burden in the country through a Whole of Government approach.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya appreciated the holistic approach adopted to address the challenge of eliminating TB. He informed about the activities being taken up by the Labour Ministry. He stated that 156 ESIC hospitals have started screening for TB cases. He assured of the support of lakhs of MyBharat volunteers for enhancing the awareness regarding the campaign and mobilising masses to come forward and get screened for TB.
Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy shared the roadmap of his Ministry for the ongoing campaign and the goal of making India TB free by the end of this year. He also mentioned the joint efforts made by the Union Health Ministry and the Steel Ministry for elimination of TB.
Shri Jual Oram highlighted the importance of the campaign and expressed the full commitment and intensified efforts of the Tribal Ministry. He highlighted that malnutrition is a major concern among the tribal population and a cause of concern for TB patients in the community. “The government’s different initiatives like the “Millet Mission” have contributed to availing the nutritional diet to TB patients”, he said.
Shri PratapRao Jadhav stated that AYUSH and Health ministries are collaborating at the field level in taking forward the campaign. He highlighted the importance of poshan in tacking TB.
Smt. Anupriya Patel highlighted the importance of field activities to engage and mobilise the masses through innovative activities.
Smt. Annpurna Devi stated that WCD and the MoHFW are working together for the campaign. “Since the launch of the campaign, more than 14 lakh Anganwadi workers are contributing to ensure nutrition in the rural areas through the Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwara activities that can ensure nutrition to the affected patients. Their active role in eliminating the stigma related to TB prevalent in rural areas will motivate people to come forward for TB screenings”.
The secretaries and senior officials from the line ministries reaffirmed their collective responsibilities and assured their efforts to strengthen the fight support to eliminate TB.